Parts of a solar-powered electric fence were stolen from a white cedar plantation this month, leaving tree seedlings exposed to hungry whitetail deer.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the theft occurred in the Kabetogama State Forest north of Orr sometime between Jan. 5 and 10, just off the Townline State Forest Road.

A DNR wildlife employee reported the theft of solar panels, a wiring harness and battery used to create an electric barrier to deer and protect the $13,422 cedar project, a partnership between the DNR and Minnesota Deer Hunters’ Association.

The fence was installed in 1997 as part of an effort to restore northern white cedar, a key tree species that deer use during cold winter months to escape cold and deep snow.

The equipment stolen was valued at $1,000. The same thing happened about a decade ago, said Larry Petersen, the DNR’s International Falls area wildlife manager.

“It looks like they took it with the intent to use it, to get power into some sort of remote location,” Petersen said. “The (ATV) tracks show they went directly to the site and they knew how to short it out and shut it down so they didn’t get shocked.”

Many of the trees, which have been planted over the past 14 years, aren’t big enough to survive hungry deer without protection, Petersen said. But it’s not clear if the DNR has the money to replace the stolen materials.

“We still have to make that decision,” he said.

Northern white cedars are tough to grow, grow slowly and are susceptible to drought, rabbits and deer. Researchers have found that warmer temperatures and less snow under the cedars provide prime spots for deer in winter.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the St. Louis County sheriff’s office at (218) 749-6010.

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